Saskatchewan Indian College to hold its first annual meeting

Page 2

REGINA - The end of October will see the beginning of a new annual trend at the Saskatchewsan Indian Federated College (SIFC).

On October 29 and 30, the college will be holding its first annual conference at the Regina Inn. Organizers of the SIFC conference '86 say they're trying to gather Indian education policy makers and personnel in a general assembly "to present and discuss the college's mandate, programs and alternatives."

"We're the only Indian controlled university college in Canada and we're interested in showing people just what we're all about." says Sid Fiddler, vice-president in charge of administration and special projects for the college. "We also want to discuss how our programs fit in with the general thrust of Indian self-government."

Dr. Oliver Brass, (B.Th., B.A., M.A., Ph.D.) is a Saskatchewan Indian and the new SIFC president. He says the Indian community as a whole will be the beneficiaries

of the annual conference.

"People at the band level would acquire information about the SIFC's existing role and its potential future role, what it does, and what it could develop for the band," Brass says.

During the two-day event, conference-goers will be taking a hard look at SIFC's 12 programs through workshops and daily general assemblies. Workshop sessions will include examination of the role traditional spiritual leaders play at SIFC; the low level of post-secondary education funding available from Indian and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC); SIFC student services and others areas.

Invitations to Conference '86 have been extended to band governments, band education authorities and school committees. The new executive of the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations (FSIN) and education personnel from INAC district, regional and Ottawa offices are also expected to participate. As well, the media and native education personnel from some provincial governments are being encouraged to attend.